Photographs (left to right): All Adirondacks, New York

Wampum Belt Archive

 

Penobscot Belt

Made by Big Thunder, Penobscot (Maine) ca 1915

Courtesy of Fred Wiseman

R. D. Hamell Novemnber 21 2024

 

Courtesy of Abbe Museum Frank Loring, popularly known as Chief Big Thunder, ca. 1890s.

Even death did not dent the fame of this Penobscot showman, storyteller, hunter, guide, medicine man,

and tribal leader, who collected and sold Wabanaki relics and crafts.

This postcard was published in 1912, six years after he died.

Original Size:	Rows: 11. Tile beads.
Reproduction:	Beaded Length: 19.0 inches. Width: 5.5 inches. Length w/fringe: 43.0 inches.
Beads:	Columns: 121. Rows: 11. Beads: 1,332.
Materials:	Warp: Deer leather. Weft: Artificial sinew. Beads: Glass.

Description:

Glass tile beads. Most likely made for the tourist trade (Wiseman, 2013). Tag with belt: Revival Wampum. Box Marked "Big Thunder". Glass tile beads strung on cotton. Penobscot ca. 1915. (Big Thunder a.k.a. Frank Loring, was a showman and popularizer of Penobscot Indian Culure in the early 20th century. 2008 Wabanaki Heritage Center."

Reference:

Wabanki Heritage Center. 2008. https://wabanaki.com/museum/

Wiseman, F. 2013. Personal Communications.